Fairmont Park

I recently visited a Pet Adoption in Fairmont Park this weekend. It had tons of vendors and rescues out, along with some free handout goodies.

This is very similar in what I hope to accomplish, but on a much larger scale.

I did get some cards and hope to call them in the future to join my 1st Annual Pet Adoption!

On April 17th, 2009, I will be going to the OC Pet Expo. It is the biggest pet expo of the year in Southern California. I will be obtaining more information there as well.

Another thing I was thinking of, was what time of the year would be a good time to plan this? Summer is too hot for the dogs and winter too cold. Fall is a bad idea, as most parents are looking to buy school supplies and not so much adopt. Maybe next spring?

Scheming

I have so many ideas, that have been swarming my head. I've been wanting to plan a huge pet adoption faire/event for a couple of years now. I've kept putting it past me and ignoring it, and now I've reached a point, where I just want to start planning it, and hopefully the outcome will be an awesome pet adoption event. My main goal is to fundraise money to begin a rehabilitation center for aggressive dogs. Aggressive dogs have virtually no chance of survival in the shelter system. Alot of rescue organizations deem aggressive dogs as unadoptable and not able to be rehabilitated. I believe otherwise. I want to prove it, and start it, but first the money thing. My other goal is to raise awareness in my county about pet rescuing and adoption. I want other rescues to benefit too! I want this to be a win-win situation for us all and to save some lives that need saving!

So, I've been researching the net, and have concluded these are the key factors to producing and having a great event.

1. Location! It is the key. I have a place in mind, that I think will work perfectly. It has plush landscaping, nice grassy fields for the dogs. Excellent bathrooms and plenty of space for vendors and dogs to sprawl out. Not telling where just yet, until I can get final details of what we will need.
2. Vendors. To provide food and other sorts of entertainment. Of course this will be where some of our donation will come from. This donation will probably go toward paying the rental fee of the location. I'm thinking I could have between 25 to 35 vendors. So let's do some math. Okay, so let's just say, I have 25 vendors signed up. I would charge $50 for a 10' x 10' or $75 for a 10' x 20' space. So let's say half want one size and the other half wants the bigger size. I would guesstimate: $1,562.50. Hmmm, maybe I should up the fee?
3. Sponsorships. This would be the tough part, but I may have a few tricks up my sleeves. I will get back on this topic later.
4. Volunteers. Essential to any successful fundraiser. We need these people to direct, promote, sale, and provide for rescues. i.e. water, trash bags, poop clean-up.
5. Raffle prizes and contests. 50/50, best trick, best owner/pet look-alikes.
6. Rules. Needing to write out a list of rules for rescue orgs, and for volunteers.
7. Permits, insurance. Of course, I will be very adament on any rescue attending to only bring well socialized and friendly animals. But you know there is always one or two that can get crazy with all the stimulation going on. Will need to see what the location recommends in permits and see about insurance. Maybe all rescues attending will need to have insurance.
8. Promoting. I'm thinking calling radio stations, newspapers, craig'slist, pennysaver, etc. Making up flyers and handing them to everyone. Maybe even asking grocery stores to put into their grocery bags.

So this is what I have for now. Here is a list of items that rescues will need to bring to the event:

1. Crates & Cages for every animal.
2. Water/Water Bowls
3. The Animals needing homes. Only friendly ones
4. Tables & Chairs
5. Adoption contracts, paperwork
6. Extra bags of Dog Food
7. Business Cards &/or Brochures
8. EZ-up tents
9. Donation Jars
10. Tape/Scissors
11. Pens/ Pencils
12. Banners or posters for their rescue
13. Collars/Leashes
14. Items to sale for donations
15. Exercise Pens
16. Beds for dogs to lay on
17. Folder with other animals available for adoption, but not with them
18. Volunteer applications
19. Volunteers
20. Tablecloths

Anything else?